Political Quotes

“among the bills in the funding package that was signed into law yesterday was the State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill. And while people are understandably focused elsewhere, I want to take a moment to talk today about what is in the so-called SFOPS bill and why it matters because, simply put, this bill will save lives all around the world. It will strengthen our alliances and partnerships at a moment when global instability is at an alltime high. And, crucially, it will make Americans safer here at home. As ranking member of this subcommittee, I saw in realtime the destruction and devastation wrought by Donald Trump's illegal dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Estimates are that more than 760,000 people, including 500,000 children, have died over the past year since American assistance suddenly vanished-- 760,000 people. Worse, millions more are expected to die in the next 5 years if the current trend continues. So it is in that context that this bill is essential. It is proof that there is still broad bipartisan support for America showing up in the world, not just with tanks and guns but with food and lifesaving care and economic assistance. And we do that not just because we are the indispensable Nation and that is the right and moral thing to do-- although that would be enough--but also because projecting power in all of its forms is smart, it is strategic, and it makes us more safe and more competitive.”